Sunday, 11 November 2012

The country fell silent today to remember its war dead at services across the country as the Queen led the nation in honouring the fallen. At the Cenotaph memorial in London the monarch laid the first wreath to commemorate members of the Armed Forces who died fighting in all conflicts since the First World War. In brilliant autumn sunshine, senior members of the monarchy joined Prime Minister David Cameron, military chiefs, servicemen and women and thousands of watching spectators in paying their respects.

Poignant moment: The Queen attended a service at the Cenotaph in Whitehall today, where she laid a wreath in memory of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice When the first stroke of 11 sounded from nearby Big Ben, Whitehall observed a two-minute silence only punctuated by the hum of distant London traffic and birds. The Queen laid the first wreath, followed by the Duke of Edinburgh. Then the Duke of Cambridge, wearing his RAF uniform, laid a wreath, under the gaze of the Duchess of Cambridge, who watched from a balcony at the Foreign Office alongside the Countess of Wessex and the Princess Royal's husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Lawrence.

Paying tribute: The Queen laid the first wreath, followed by the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex and the Princess Royal

Watching on: Thousands of people gathered in central London on Remembrance Sunday to commemorate the sacrifices of the Armed Forces William was followed by the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Princess Royal, Prince Michael of Kent and Field Marshal Lord Guthrie of Craigiebank. Wreaths were also laid by Mr Cameron, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, opposition leader Ed Miliband and Westminster Plaid Cymru group leader Elfyn Llwyd, as well as high commissioners from Commonwealth countries and leaders of the Armed Forces. The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall earlier attended a ceremony in Auckland as part of their Jubilee tour of New Zealand.

Respectful: Sophie, Countess of Wessex (left) and the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton (right) commemorate late members of the Armed Forces

For the fallen: Prince William lays a wreath at The Cenotaph in Whitehall, central London, as he takes part in Remembrance Sunday commemorations Under grey skies the royals sat with New Zealand's prime minister John Key, veterans from across the decades, and members of the public around the Auckland Cenotaph. The Duke of Kent was also overseas, representing the Queen at a service in the Falkland Islands. Thousands of people also respected the two-minute silence on Twitter, abstaining from posting messages during the period of reflection. The idea was spread using the hashtag #2minutesilence.

Political leaders: Prime Minister David Cameron (right), Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg (centre), and leader of the Labour Party Ed Miliband (left) hold wreaths today In Northern Ireland, the prime minister of the Republic of Ireland Taoiseach Enda Kenny attended the remembrance service in Enniskillen. The symbolic visit came as the Co Fermanagh town marked the 25th anniversary of the IRA Poppy Day bomb attack, which claimed the lives of 12 people. Mr Kenny laid a laurel wreath at the cenotaph, only yards from where the no-warning blast detonated a quarter of a century ago.

Royal line-up: The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, (right) The Duke of York, Prince Andrew (centre) and Princess Anne (left)

Huge crowds: Members of the public and servicemen fill Whitehall in London to watch the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cenotaph on November 11

Standing still: Sophie, Countess of Wessex, and the Duchess of Cambridge are pictured centre left and right at the remembrance service at the Cenotaph in Whitehall

Overseas: British soldiers, part of NATO's International Security Assistance Force, observe a moment of silence during a ceremony at a NATO base in Helmand province, Afghanistan

Incoming leader: The Archbishop of Canturbury designate, the Right Revd. Justin Welby (left), Bishop of Durham, leads a remembrance service at St. Gabriel's Church in Sunderland today

Crosses and poppies: Wreaths of remembrance are placed on the war memorial on the High Street of Royal Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire, where a service is taking place and two minutes silence is being observed source: dailymail

Lest we forget: Queen, Kate and William pay their respects at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday2012-11-11T19:38:00-08:00
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